Image of Asia: Returning turtles to the sea

Image of Asia: Returning turtles to the sea

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

In this photo by Firdia Lisnawati, locals and tourists on the Indonesian island of Bali help release endangered giant green turtles into the sea. Police Col. Djoko Hari Utomo says the turtles being released were among 17 turtles confiscated from a poacher last month. The poacher allegedly bought them from fishermen and they were to be sold to a food stall. Turtle meat is a traditional delicacy in Bali, although Indonesia has banned their trade and consumption due to concerns about dwindling numbers and the possibility of a tourist boycott. Turtles, especially green turtles, are among several protected species in the vast nation of 17,000 islands.